Electronic apparatus

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a first housing, a second housing, a third housing between the first housing and the second housing, the third housing being rotatably connected to the first housing and the second housing, and an antenna in the third housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2010-139790, filed Jun. 18, 2010; theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to an electronic apparatusincluding an antenna.

BACKGROUND

Some electronic apparatuses include antennas for wireless connection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A general architecture that implements the various features of theembodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings. Thedrawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate theembodiments and not to limit the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective view illustrating an example of anelectronic apparatus according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary plan view illustrating the electronic apparatusshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary cross-sectional view illustrating a firstposition of the electronic apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary cross-sectional view illustrating a secondposition of the electronic apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary cross-sectional view illustrating a thirdposition of the electronic apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary perspective view illustrating an example of a usepattern of the electronic apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary perspective view illustrating an example of theuse pattern of the electronic apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary cross-sectional view illustrating an example ofthe use pattern of the electronic apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an exemplary perspective view illustrating an example of theuse pattern of the electronic apparatus shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 10 is an exemplary perspective view illustrating an example of anelectronic apparatus according to a second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments will be described hereinafter with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

In general, according to one embodiment, an electronic apparatuscomprises a first housing, a second housing, a third housing between thefirst housing and the second housing the third housing being rotatablyconnected to the first housing and the second housing, and an antenna inthe third housing.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

FIGS. 1 to 9 show an electronic apparatus 1 according to a firstembodiment. The electronic apparatus 1 is, for example, a notebookpersonal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a notebook PC). Inaddition, the electronic apparatus 1 has a relatively small size and isa hand-held type that can be used while being held by hands. Electronicapparatuses to which the first embodiment can be applied are not limitedthereto. The first embodiment can be widely applied to various kinds ofelectronic apparatuses including, for example, a relatively largenotebook PC, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a game machine.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic apparatus 1 includes a first mainportion 2, a second main portion 3, and a connection portion 4. In thisembodiment, each of the first main portion 2 and the second main portion3 is a display unit including a display panel. The connection portion 4connects the first main portion 2 and the second main portion 3 suchthat they can be rotated relative to each other.

The first main portion 2 includes a first housing 6. The first housing 6is made of metal, for example. The first housing 6 has a flat box shapeincluding a first front wall 7, a first rear wall 8, and a firstcircumferential wall 9. The first front wall 7 is an example of a “firstwall of the first housing.” The first rear wall 8 is an example of a“second wall of the first housing.”

The first rear wall 8 faces a desk surface when the electronic apparatus1 is placed on the desk. The first rear wall 8 is substantially parallelto the desk surface. The first rear wall 8 is opposite to the firstfront wall 7 in the first housing 6. The first front wall 7 extendssubstantially parallel to the first rear wall 8 with a spacetherebetween. The first circumferential wall 9 rises with respect to thefirst front wall 7 and the first rear wall 8 and connects the edgeportion of the first front wall 7 and the edge portion of the first rearwall 8.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first housing 6 contains a first display panel11. The first display panel 11 is, for example, a liquid crystal display(LCD) panel. However, the first display panel 11 is not limited thereto,but it may be a plasma display panel, an organic EL display panel, orother display panels.

The first display panel 11 includes a display screen 11 a that displaysa video or an image thereon. In addition, the first display panel 11 isprovided with a touch panel 11 b. The first display panel 11 is providedalong the inner surface of the first front wall 7. The first front wall7 includes a first opening portion 7 a through which the display screen11 a and the touch panel 11 b are exposed to the outside. A user canview a video or an image through the first opening portion 7 a or inputvia the touch panel 11 b.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first front wall 7 includes a plurality ofbuttons 12 and 13 for operating the electronic apparatus 1. The homebutton 12 is provided on the right side of the first display panel 11.When a user manipulates the home button 12, a representative application(home application) of the electronic apparatus 1 starts up.

The keyboard button 13 is provided on the left side of the first displaypanel 11. When a user manipulates the keyboard button 13, a firstkeyboard 14 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the first display panel 11.The first keyboard 14 includes, for example, an ASCII array or a JISarray and is displayed substantially over the entire region of the firstdisplay panel 11 in the longitudinal direction. A user can place theelectronic apparatus 1, for example, on a desk surface T for use.

The electronic apparatus 1 includes an application that displays, forexample, the image of a second keyboard 15 shown in FIG. 7 on the firstdisplay panel. Keys of the second keyboard 15 are displayed only at theleft and right end portions of the first display panel 11. A user canuse the electronic apparatus 1 with the hands holding the electronicapparatus 1. The switching between the first keyboard 14 and the secondkeyboard 15 can be controlled by a control portion 17, which will bedescribed below.

As shown in FIG. 3, a battery pack 18 is detachably attached to thefirst housing 6. Specifically, the first rear wall 8 includes a concaveportion 19 greatly recessed toward the inside of the first housing 6.The battery 18 is attached to the concave portion 19. In other words,the first rear wall 8 partitions the concave portion 19 and the innerspace of the first housing 6.

As shown in FIG. 1, the second main portion 3 includes a second housing21. The second housing 21 is made of metal, for example. The secondhousing 21 has a flat box shape including a second front wall 22, asecond rear wall 23, and a second circumferential wall 24. The secondfront wall 22 is an example of a “first wall of the second housing.” Thesecond rear wall 23 is an example of a “second wall of the secondhousing.” For example, the size, outward shape, and thickness of thesecond housing 21 are substantially the same as those of the firsthousing 6.

The second front wall 22 faces the first front wall 7 of the firsthousing 6 when the second housing 21 is folded onto the first housing 6.The second rear wall 23 is opposite to the second front wall 22 in thesecond housing 21. The second rear wall 23 extends substantiallyparallel to the second front wall 22 with a space therebetween. Thesecond circumferential wall 24 rises with respect to the second frontwall 22 and the second rear wall 23, and connects the edge portion ofthe second front wall 22 and the edge portion of the second rear wall23.

As shown in FIG. 1, the second housing 21 contains a second displaypanel 26. The second display panel 26 is for example, a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) panel. However, the second display panel 26 is not limitedthereto, but it may be a plasma display panel, an organic EL displaypanel, or other display panels.

The second display panel 26 includes a display screen 26 a that displaysa video or an image. In addition, the second display panel 26 isprovided with a touch panel 26 b. The second display panel 26 isprovided along the inner surface of the second front wall 22. The secondfront wall 22 includes a second opening portion 22 a through which thedisplay screen 26 a and the touch panel 26 b are exposed to the outside.A user can view a video or an image through the second opening portion22 a or input via the touch panel 26 b.

Both the first display panel 11 and the second display panel 26 may notnecessarily include the touch panel, but only one of the first displaypanel 11 and the second display panel 26 may include the touch panel.Neither the first display panel 11 nor the second display panel 26 mayinclude the touch panel.

The second front wall 22 includes a button 27 for operating theelectronic apparatus 1. The power button 27 is provided on the rightside of the second display panel 26. A camera 28 is provided on the leftside of the second display panel 26.

As shown in FIG. 3, the second housing 21 contains a circuit board 29which is a main board. The circuit hoard 29 is provided along the innersurface of the second rear wall 23. The circuit board 29 is opposite tothe second display panel 26 in the second housing 21.

The second housing 21 further contains, for example, a storage device, acooling fan, and a heat sink (not shown). In this way, the weights ofthe first main portion 2 and the second main portion 3 are adjusted soas to be substantially equal to each other. In addition, the first mainportion 2 is slightly heavier than the second main portion 3 such thatthe second main portion 3 does not fall on its back when the second mainportion 3 is opened with respect to the first main portion 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the connection portion 4 includes a third housing 31and a biaxial hinge mechanism 32 attached to the third housing 31. Thethird housing 31 is between the first housing 6 and the second housing21. The third housing 31 is a so-called intermediate piece. The thirdhousing 31 is made of plastic, for example. The third housing 31 isrotatably connected to the first housing 6 and the second housing 21.The third housing 31 serves as a wedge and the second housing 21 can beopened or closed with respect to the first housing 6 at an angle of, forexample, 0° to 180°.

Specifically, a pair of first projections 34 a and 34 b protrudingtoward the second housing 21 is provided at both end portions of thefirst housing 6 in the longitudinal direction. A pair of secondprojections 35 a and 35 b protruding toward the first housing 6 isprovided at both end portions of the second housing 21 in thelongitudinal direction. In other words, the first housing 6 includes afirst concave portion 36 between the pair of first projections 34 a and34 b. The second housing 21 includes a second concave portion 37 betweenthe pair of second projections 35 a and 35 b.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first projections 34 a and 34 b and the secondprojections 35 a and 35 b face each other. There is little gap betweenthe left first projection 34 a and the left second projection 35 a. Inaddition, there is little gap between the right first projection 34 band the right second projection 35 b. The first concave portion 36 andthe second concave portion 37 face each other. There is a relativelylarge space S between the first concave portion 36 and the secondconcave portion 37.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the third housing 31 has an elongated shapeand is disposed in the space S which is between the first concaveportion 36 and the second concave portion 37. That is, the third housing31 is between the pair of first projections 34 a and 34 b and betweenthe pair of second projections 35 a and 35 b.

As shown in FIG. 2, the biaxial hinge mechanism 32 includes a firsthinge 41 and a second hinge 42 which are attached to the third housing31. The first hinge 41 and the second hinge 42 are substantiallyparallel to each other.

The first hinge 41 extends from the inside of the third housing 31 tothe inside of the first housing 6 and is attached to the first housing6. The first hinge 41 connects the third housing 31 to the first housing6 such that the third housing 31 can be rotated with respect to thefirst housing 6. The second hinge 42 extends from the inside of thethird housing 31 to the inside of the second housing 21 and is attachedto the second housing 21. The second hinge 42 connects the third housing31 to the second housing 21 such that the third housing 31 can berotated with respect to the second housing 21. In this way, the secondhousing 21 can be rotated with respect to the first housing 6.

The electronic apparatus 1 can be displaced among a first position, asecond position, and a third position, which will be described below.FIG. 3 shows the first position. At the first position, the secondhousing 21 is folded onto the first housing 6, and the first position isa so-called closed position. At the first position, the second frontwall 22 the second housing 21 faces the first front wall 7 of the firsthousing 6.

Next, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are defined.As shown in FIG. 1, the X direction and the Y direction are aligned withthe first front wall 7 of the first housing 6. The X direction is thelongitudinal direction of the first housing 6. The Y direction is thelateral direction of the first housing 6 and is substantially orthogonalto the X direction. The Z direction is the thickness direction of thefirst housing 6 and is substantially orthogonal to the X direction andthe Y direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, the third housing 31 is substantially rectangular ina cross-section. At the first position, the longitudinal direction ofthe third housing 31 in a cross-sectional view is substantially alignedwith the Z direction. That is, the third housing 31 rises with respectto the first housing 6.

The third housing 31 includes a third front wall 44 and a third rearwall 45. The third front wall 44 is an example of a “first wall of thethird housing.” The third rear wall 45 is an example of a “second wallof the third housing.” Each of the third front wall 44 and the thirdrear wall 45 extends in the longitudinal direction of the third housing31 in a cross-sectional view and rises at the first position. The thirdrear wall 45 is opposite to the third front wall 44 in the third housing31 and is substantially parallel to the third front wall 44 with a spaceinterposed therebetween.

The third housing 31 further includes a first side wall 46 and a secondside wall 47. Each of the first side wall 46 and the second side wall 47extends in the lateral direction of the third housing 31 in across-sectional view and is substantially horizontal at the firstposition. The first side wall 46 and the second side wall 47 connect theedge portion of the third front wall 44 and the edge portion of thethird rear wall 45.

As shown in FIG. 3, at the first position, the third front wall 44 facesin a direction of the first display panel 11, the second display panel26, and the circuit board 29. The third rear wall 45 faces the oppositeside of the first display panel 11, the second display panel 26, and thecircuit board 29, that is, faces the outside of the electronic apparatus1. The term “facing the outside of the electronic apparatus 1” meansappearing outside the electronic apparatus 1.

FIG. 4 shows the second position. At the second position, the secondhousing 21 rises with respect to the first housing 6. As shown in FIG.2, the first hinge 41 and the second hinge 42 include a link mechanism49 that operatively associates the rotation of the first and secondhinges 41 and 42.

The link mechanism 49 makes a rotation angle α1 of the third housing 31with respect to the first housing 6 constantly equal to a rotation angleα2 of the second housing 21 with respect to the third housing 31.Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, at the second position, the third housing31 is raised with respect to the first housing 6 and the third housing31 is raised with respect to the second housing 21.

FIG. 5 shows the third position. At the third position, the secondhousing 21 is opened at an angle of substantially 180° with respect tothe first housing 6. At the third position, the third housing 31 isopened at an angle of substantially 90° with respect to the firsthousing 6 and the second housing 21 is opened at an angle ofsubstantially 90° with respect to the third housing 31. That is, thethird housing 31 that rises at the first position lies at the thirdposition.

In this way, in the electronic apparatus 1, the first housing 6, thesecond housing 21, and the third housing 31 are substantially horizontalrelative to each other at the third position. Each of the third frontwall 44 and the third rear wall 45 extends substantially horizontal. Thefirst housing 6, the second housing 21, and the third housing 31 havesubstantially the same thickness.

The third front wall 44 is substantially at the same height as the firstfront wall 7 of the first housing 6 and the second front wall 22 of thesecond housing 21, and the third front wall 44, the first front wall 7,and the second front wall 22 extend to be substantially flush with oneanother. The third rear wall 45 is substantially at the same height asthe first rear wall 8 of the first housing 6 and the second rear wall 23of the second housing 21, and the third rear wall 45, the first rearwall 8, and the second rear wall 23 extend to be substantially flushwith one another. The third rear wall 45 is opposite to the displayscreen 11 a of the first display panel 11 and the display screen 26 a ofthe second display panel 26.

The electronic apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes astopper that restricts the rotation of the second housing 21 such thatthe second housing 21 is not rotated at an angle of more than 180° withrespect to the first housing 6. Alternatively, the electronic apparatus1 may be configured such that, for example, the second housing 21 can berotated up to 360° with respect to the first housing 6.

As shown in FIG. 2, the third housing 31 contains an antenna 51 forwireless communication. The antenna 51 is, for example, an antenna for awireless LAN (W-LAN) or a third-generation mobile communication system(3G) antenna, but other antennas may be used. The antenna 51 includes,for example, a substantially rectangular board.

As shown in FIG. 3, the antenna 51 is attached to the wall of the thirdhousing 31 that rises and faces the outside of the electronic apparatus1 when the second housing 21 is folded onto the first housing 6, thatis, the third rear wall 45. Specifically, ribs 45 a are provided on thethird rear wall 45. The antenna 51 is attached to the ribs 45 a. Theantenna 51 is provided along the third rear wall 45. The third rear wall45 is furthest away from the first display panel 11, the second displaypanel 26, and the circuit board 29 in the third housing 31. The antenna51 is closer to the third rear wall 45 than to the third front wall 44.

As shown in FIG. 3, at the first position, the antenna 51 risessubstantially parallel to the third rear wall 45. In this way, arelatively long distance is ensured between the antenna 51 and all ofthe first display panel 11, the second display panel 26, and the circuitboard 29. The antenna 51 is closer to the third rear wall 45 than to anaxis line A1 of the first hinge 41 and an axis line A2 of the secondhinge 42.

As shown in FIG. 4, at the second position, the third housing 31 isforcibly rotated with respect to the first housing 6 and the secondhousing 21 by the link mechanism 49. As the angle between the secondhousing 21 and the first housing 6 increases, the distance between theantenna 51 and the first display panel 11, the second display panel 26,and circuit board 29 increases.

That is, at the second position or the third position where the antennais actually used, the distance between the antenna 51 and the firstdisplay panel 11, the second display panel 26, and the circuit board 29is more than that of the first position. That is, the antenna 51 is lesslikely to be affected by unnecessary radiation from the first displaypanel 11, the second display panel 26, and the circuit board 29.

As shown in FIG. 5, at the third position, the antenna 51 lies. Theantenna 51 is at the position where it is at a recessed position fromthe first display panel 11 and the second display panel 26 toward thethird rear wall 45. In this way, a relatively long distance is ensuredbetween the antenna 51 and the first display panel 11, the seconddisplay panel 26, and the circuit board 29.

As shown in FIG. 2, the antenna 51 includes a cable 52 extending fromthe inside of the third housing 31 to the inside of the second housing21. The cable 52 is connected to the circuit board 29. The circuit board29 includes a first end portion 29 a close to the third housing 31 and asecond end portion 29 b opposite to the first end portion 29 a. Thecable 52 is connected to, for example, a connector at the first endportion 29 a of the circuit board 29.

The electronic apparatus 1 includes the control portion 17 that canswitch the electronic apparatus 1 between a first use pattern and asecond use pattern. The control portion 17 is implemented by, forexample, the entire or part of the circuit board 29. In the first usepattern, for example, the first housing 6 and the second housing 21 areopened in the vertical direction for use, as shown in FIGS. 6, and 8.The electronic apparatus 1 may be used on the desk surface T, or may beused with being held by the hands.

In the second use pattern, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the firsthousing 6 and the second housing 21 are opened in the horizontaldirection for use. For example, images rotated at an angle of 90° withrespect to that in the first use pattern are displayed on the firstdisplay panel 11 and the second display panel 26. In the second usepattern, the electronic apparatus 1 may be used on the desk surface T ormay be used with being held by the hands.

According to the electronic apparatus 1 having the above-mentionedstructure, it is possible to mount components at high density.

That is, in this embodiment, the electronic apparatus 1 includes thethird housing 31 between the first housing 6 and the second housing 21so as to be rotatably connected to the first housing 6 and the secondhousing 21. In other words, the third housing 31 is provided for thepurpose of connection between the first housing 6 and the second housing21. A dead space is likely to be formed in the third housing 31, ascompared to the first housing 6 and the second hosing 21.

Focusing on the third housing 31, this embodiment effectively uses, forexample, the dead space of the third housing 31 to mount the antenna 51therein. Therefore, it is possible to reduce or save a space for theantenna required to be reserved in the first housing 6 and the secondhousing 21. In this way, it is possible to mount components at highdensity in the electronic apparatus 1.

In this embodiment, the first hinge 41 connected to the first housing 6and the second hinge 42 connected to the second housing 21 are attachedto the third housing 31. The third housing 31 having the biaxial hingemechanism 32 attached thereto has a relatively large inner space.Therefore, a dead space is likely to be formed in the third housing 31.Focusing on the third housing 31, this embodiment effectively uses, forexample, the dead space of the third housing 31 to mount the antenna 51.In other words, the use of the third housing 31 allows mounting of arelatively large antenna.

The display panel or the circuit board is likely to be adverselyaffected by radio waves emitted from the antenna. In addition, theantenna is likely to be adversely affected by unnecessary radiation fromthe display panel or the circuit board. Therefore, in general, it isnecessary to add a radio wave shielding member between the antenna andthe above-mentioned units.

However, in this embodiment, since the antenna 51 is in the thirdhousing 31, a relatively long distance (space) can be ensured betweenthe antenna 51 and the display panels 11 and 26 or the circuit board 29.As a result, the necessity of measures to shield radio waves is reduced,thereby allowing a reduced size or omission of the radio wave shieldingmember. This contributes to the high-density mounting of the electronicapparatus 1.

In particular, in this embodiment, the third housing 31 is forciblyrotated with respect to the first housing 6 and the second housing 21 bythe link mechanism 49. As the opening angle of the second housing 21with respect to the first housing 6 increases, the distance between theantenna 51 and the display panels 11 and 26 or the circuit board 29increases. Therefore, the antenna 51 is less likely to be affected byunnecessary radiation from the display panels 11 and 26 or the circuitboard 29.

The antenna 51 is attached to a wall of the third housing 31 (that is,the third rear wall 45) that rises and faces the outside of theelectronic apparatus 1 when the first housing 6 is folded onto thesecond housing 21. The third rear wall 45 is furthest away from thefirst display panel 11, the second display panel 26, and the circuitboard 29 in the third housing 31. Therefore it is possible to ensure arelatively long distance between the antenna 51 and the display panels11 and 26 or the circuit board 29 c.

In this embodiment, the antenna 51 rises at the first position.According to this structure, it is possible to ensure a relatively longdistance between the antenna 51 and the display panels 11 and 26 or thecircuit board 29.

In this embodiment, the first housing 6 includes the first front wall 7with the first opening portion 7 a through which the first display panel11 is exposed and the first rear wall 8 opposite to the first front wall7. When the second housing 21 is opened at an angle of substantially180° with respect to the first housing 6, the third rear wall 45 of thethird housing 31 is substantially flush with the first rear wall 8 ofthe first housing 6. According to this structure, is possible to ensurea relatively longer distance between the antenna 51 and the displaypanels 11 and 26 or the circuit board 29.

In this embodiment, when the second housing 21 is opened at an angle ofsubstantially 180° with respect to the first housing 6, the firsthousing 6, the second housing 21, and the third housing 31 aresubstantially horizontal relative to each other. In the electronicapparatus 1, for example, there is no unnecessary convex portion betweenthe first housing 6 and the second housing 21. The electronic apparatus1 has a good design or a good appearance and high user convenience.

In other words, in order to achieve the development structure, the thirdhousing 31 including the biaxial hinge mechanism 32 is indispensable.Therefore, in this embodiment, the indispensable third housing 31 isused to mount the antenna. That is, for example, a dedicated componentfor mounting the antenna is not provided.

In this embodiment, the first housing 6 includes a pair of firstprojections 34 a and 34 b protruding toward the second housing 21 andthe second housing 21 includes a pair of second projections 35 a and 35b protruding toward the first housing 6. The third housing 31 is betweenthe pair of first projections 34 a and 34 b and between the pair ofsecond projections 35 a and 35 b. According to this structure, it ispossible to form the third housing 31 with a relatively large size. Thethird housing 31 enables mounting of a relatively large antenna.

For example, when the antenna is provided in the housing made of metal,it is necessary to attach an additional cover made of plastic to aregion facing the antenna. In this embodiment, the first housing 6 andthe second housing 21 are made of metal, and the third housing 31 ismade of plastic.

According to this structure, it is not necessary to separately providethe cover made of plastic at the first housing 6 and the second housing21. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of components andimprove the outward appearance. Since the display panels 11 and 26 andthe circuit board 29 in the first housing 6 and the second housing 21are shielded by a housing made of metal, the amount of unnecessaryradiation decreases.

For example, in the case of a general notebook PC, is considered thatthe antenna is at the upper end portion of the display unit. The cableof the antenna extends so as to traverse the inside of the display unitand is then connected to the circuit board in the main unit through thehinge. Therefore, the length of the cable increases.

In this embodiment, the cable 52 of the antenna 51 extends from theinside of the third housing 31 to the inside of the second housing 21and is then connected to the circuit board 29. That is, the cable 52does not need to extend so as to traverse the first housing 6 or thesecond housing 21. Therefore, the length of the cable can be reduced.When the length of the cable can be reduced, it is possible to reduceloss in the characteristics of the antenna.

In this embodiment, the electronic apparatus 1 can be switched betweenthe first use pattern in which the first housing 6 and the secondhousing 21 are opened with respect to each other in the verticaldirection for use and the second use pattern in which the first housing6 and the second housing 21 are opened with respect to each other in thehorizontal direction for use. In the second use pattern, as shown inFIG. 9, the third housing 31 including the antenna 51 therein is on theoutermost side (the side opposite to the user). That is, the thirdhousing 31 is located in the outside rather than the first housing 6 andthe second housing 21. According to this structure, it is possible toimprove the sensitivity of the antenna.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the electronic apparatus 1 is used while beingheld by the hands, the third housing 31 including the antenna 51 thereinis one of the portions that are on the outermost side (the side oppositeto the user). As described above, under considerations of various usepatterns of the electronic apparatus 1, it is possible to dispose theantenna 51 on the outermost side by mounting the antenna 51 in the thirdhousing 31.

Second Embodiment

Next, an electronic apparatus 1 according to a second embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 10. In the second embodiment,components having the same or similar functions as those of the firstembodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and a descriptionthereof will not be repeated. In addition, structures other than thefollowing structures are the same as those in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 10, a first main portion 2 of the electronic apparatus1 includes a mechanical keyboard 61, instead of the display panel 11. Acircuit board 29 may be in a first housing 6 or a second housing 21.According to this structure, similar to the first embodiment, it ispossible to mount components at high density.

The embodiments are not limited to the above-described embodiments, butthe components of the above-described embodiments may be changed withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, aplurality of components according to the above-described embodiments maybe appropriately combined with each other to form various structures.For example, some of the components according to the above-describedembodiments may be removed. Components according to differentembodiments may be appropriately combined with each other.

For example, the circuit board 29 may be contained in the first housing6. The first housing 6 and the second housing 21 may be made of plastic.The antenna 51 is not necessarily attached to the third rear wall 45 ofthe third housing. The antenna 51 may be attached to a different wall ofthe third housing 31. The ground terminal of the antenna may beconnected to the first hinge 41 or the second hinge 42.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intendedto cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the inventions.

1. An electronic apparatus comprising: a first housing comprising adisplay panel; a second housing comprising a circuit board; a thirdhousing between the first housing and the second housing, the thirdhousing comprising a first hinge attached to the first housing and asecond hinge attached to the second housing, the third housingconfigured to connect the first housing and the second housing to rotatebetween a first position where the first housing faces the secondhousing and a second position where the first housing is separated fromthe second housing; and an antenna in the third housing and attached toa wall of the third housing, wherein the wall rises and faces an outsideof the electronic apparatus in the first position, wherein the antennais closer to the wall than the first hinge and the second hinge whenviewed from a side of the third housing, wherein the first housingfurther comprises a first wall with an opening portion through which thedisplay panel is exposed and a second wall opposite to the first wall,and wherein the wall of the third housing and the second wall of thefirst housing are substantiall flush with each other when the secondhousing is opened at an angle of substantially 180° with respect to thefirst housing.
 2. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein theantenna rises substantially parallel to the wall when the first housingfaces the second housing.
 3. The electronic apparatus of claim 1,wherein the first hinge and the second hinge are substantially parallelto each other, and wherein the first housing, the second housing, andthe third housing are substantially horizontal relative to each otherwhen the second housing is opened at an angle of substantially 180° withrespect to the first housing.
 4. The electronic apparatus of claim 1,wherein the first housing further comprises a pair of first projectionsprotruding toward the second housing, wherein the second housing furthercomprises a pair of second projections protruding toward the firsthousing, and wherein the third housing is between the first projectionsand between the second projections.
 5. The electronic apparatus of claim1, wherein the antenna comprises a cable extending from the thirdhousing to the second housing and connected to the circuit board.
 6. Theelectronic apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a controllerconfigured to switch between a first use pattern in which the firsthousing and the second housing are opened in a vertical direction and asecond use pattern in which the first housing and the second housing areopened in a horizontal direction.
 7. An electronic apparatus comprising:a first housing comprising a display panel; a second housing comprisinga circuit board; a third housing between the first housing and thesecond housing, the third housing comprising a first hinge attached tothe first housing and a second hinge attached to the second housing, thethird housing configured to connect the first housing and the secondhousing to rotate between a first position where the first housing facesthe second housing and a second position where the first housing isseparated from the second housing; and an antenna in the third housingand attached to a wall of the third housing, wherein the wall rises andfaces an outside of the electronic apparatus in the first position,wherein the antenna is closer to the wall than the first hinge and thesecond hinge when viewed from a side of the third housing, and whereinthe second housing further comprises a second display panel.
 8. Theelectronic apparatus of claim 7, wherein the antenna rises substantiallyparallel to the wall when the first housing faces the second housing. 9.The electronic apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first hinge and thesecond hinge are substantially parallel to each other, and wherein thefirst housing, the second housing, and the third housing aresubstantially horizontal relative to each other when the second housingis opened at an angle of substantially 180° with respect to the firsthousing.
 10. The electronic apparatus of claim 7, wherein the firsthousing further comprises a pair of first projections protruding towardthe second housing, wherein the second housing further comprises a pairof second projections protruding toward the first housing, and whereinthe third housing is between the first projections and between thesecond projections.
 11. The electronic apparatus of claim 7, wherein theantenna comprises a cable extending from the third housing to the secondhousing and connected to the circuit board.
 12. The electronic apparatusof claim 7, further comprising a controller configured to switch betweena first use pattern in which the first housing and the second housingare opened in a vertical direction and a second use pattern in which thefirst housing and the second housing are opened in a horizontaldirection.
 13. An electronic apparatus comprising: a first housingcomprising a display panel; a second housing comprising a circuit board;a third housing between the first housing and the second housing, thethird housing comprising a first hinge attached to the first housing anda second hinge attached to the second housing, the third housingconfigured to connect the first housing and the second housing to rotatebetween a first position where the first housing faces the secondhousing and a second position where the first housing is separated fromthe second housing; and an antenna in the third housing and attached toa wall of the third housing, wherein the wall rises and faces an outsideof the electronic apparatus in the first position, wherein the antennais closer to the wall than the first hinge and the second hinge whenviewed from a side of the third housing, and wherein the first housingis made of metal, and the third housing is made of plastic.
 14. Theelectronic apparatus of claim 13, wherein the antenna risessubstantially parallel to the wall when the first housing faces thesecond housing.
 15. The electronic apparatus of claim 13, wherein thefirst hinge and the second hinge are substantially parallel to eachother, and wherein the first housing, the second housing, and the thirdhousing are substantially horizontal relative to each other when thesecond housing is opened at an angle of substantially 180° with respectto the first housing.
 16. The electronic apparatus of claim 13, whereinthe first housing further comprises a pair of first projectionsprotruding toward the second housing, wherein the second housing furthercomprises a pair of second projections protruding toward the firsthousing, and wherein the third housing is between the first projectionsand between the second projections.
 17. The electronic apparatus ofclaim 13, wherein the antenna comprises a cable extending from the thirdhousing to the second housing and connected to the circuit board.
 18. Anelectronic apparatus comprising: a first housing; a second housing; athird housing between the first housing and the second housing, thethird housing comprising a first hinge attached to the first housing anda second hinge attached to the second housing; and an antenna in thethird housing, wherein the first housing and the second housing areconfigured to rotate between a first position where the first housingfaces the second housing and a second position where the first housingis separated from the second housing, wherein the antenna is attached toa wall of the third housing, the wall extending in a direction in whichthe first housing faces the second housing, and wherein the antenna iscloser to the wall than the first hinge and the second hingeirrespective of positions of the first housing and the second housing,wherein the first housing further comprises a first wall with an openingportion through which the display panel is exposed and a second wallopposite to the first wall, and wherein the wall of the third housingand the second wall of the first housing are substantially flush witheach other when the second housing is opened at an angle ofsubstantially 180° with respect to the first housing.
 19. An electronicapparatus comprising: a first housing; a second housing; a third housingbetween the first housing and the second housing, the third housingcomprising a first hinge attached to the first housing and a secondhinge attached to the second housing; and an antenna in the thirdhousing, wherein the first housing and the second housing are configuredto rotate between a first position where the first housing faces thesecond housing and a second position where the first housing isseparated from the second housing, wherein the antenna is attached to awall of the third housing, the wall extending in a direction in whichthe first housing faces the second housing, wherein the antenna iscloser to the wall than the first hinge and the second hingeirrespective of positions of the first housing and the second housing,and wherein the second housing further comprises a second display panel.20. An electronic apparatus comprising: a first housing; a secondhousing; a third housing between the first housing and the secondhousing, the third housing comprising a first hinge attached to thefirst housing and a second hinge attached to the second housing; and anantenna in the third housing, wherein the first housing and the secondhousing are configured to rotate between a first position where thefirst housing faces the second housing and a second position where thefirst housing is separated from the second housing, wherein the antennais attached to a wall of the third housing, the wall extending in adirection in which the first housing faces the second housing, whereinthe antenna is closer to the wall than the first hinge and the secondhinge irrespective of positions of the first housing and the secondhousing, and wherein the first housing is made of metal, and the thirdhousing is made of plastic.